Mobile roadway repair unit

ABSTRACT

A mobile roadway repair unit including a repair module unit having a platform for carrying traffic over a roadway on which repair is to be performed. The repair module unit may be formed of a plurality of repair modules coupled end-to-end or may be a single repair module. An ascending transition ramp is releasably connected to one end of the repair module unit to direct a vehicle from the roadway upward to the platform of the repair module unit and a descending transition ramp is releasably connected to the other end of the repair module unit to direct a vehicle from the platform of the repair module unit downward to the roadway. Each repair module provides a housing beneath the platform for receiving repair equipment. An enclosure wall is provided for the longitudinal sides of the repair module unit and the transition ramps. The enclosure wall on the longitudinal sides of the roadway repair unit permits the environment beneath the unit to be controlled, blocks viewing of the repair work to prevent slowing of traffic at the repair site, and acts as a safety barrier for workers inside the roadway repair unit.

United States Patent [191 Dix [ MOBILE ROADWAY REPAIR UNIT [76] Inventor: Rollin C. Dix, 2506 W. 107th St.,

Chicago, Ill. 60655 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 170,153

[52] US. Cl. 14/1, 404/1 [51] Int. Cl E0161 1/00 [58] Field 01 Search 14/1; 404/1 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,301,146 l/l967 Krug i 404/1 1,924,779 8/1933 Flynn 404/1 X 3,323,157 6/1967 Vaugoyeau 14/1 2,363,767 11/1944 Yassin l 14/1 3,597,784 7/1969 14/1 2,927,396 3/1960 Hall l4/1 X 2,366,916 l/l945 Le Tourneau 14/1 1,593,999 7/1926 Bingham 14/1 Primary Examiner-Ni1e C. Byers, Jr.

[451 May 21,1974

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A mobile roadway repair unit including a repair module unit having a platform for carrying trafiic over a roadway on which repair is to be performed. The repair module unit may be formed of a plurality of repair modules coupled end-to-end or may be a single repair module. An ascending transition ramp is releasably connected to one end of the repair module unit to direct a vehicle from the roadway upward to the platform of the repair module unit and a descending transition ramp is releasably connected to the other end of the repair module unit to direct a vehicle from the platform of the repair module unit downward to the roadway. Each repair module provides a housing beneath the platform for receiving repair equipment. An enclosure wall is provided for the longitudinal sides of the repair module .unit and the transition ramps. The enclosure wall on the longitudinal sides of the roadway repair unit permits the environment beneath the unit to be controlled, blocks viewing of the repair work to prevent slowing of traffic at the repair site, and acts as a safety barrier for workers inside the roadway repair unit.

14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures MOBILE ROADWAY REPAIR UNIT The invention relates generally to a mobile roadway repair unit for providing a vehicle overpass above a portion of a roadway to be repaired. More particularly, the roadway repair unit includes a platform means for supporting a roadway vehicle at a level above the roadway to be repaired. The platform means is movable along the roadway and includes at least one repair module. A first transition means is utilized for directing the roadway vehicle upward from the roadway to the level of the platform means. A second transition means is utilized for directing the roadway vehicle downward from the level of the platform means to the roadway.

In repairing a roadway, the platform means, and the first and second transition means of the roadway repair unit are individually transported to a roadway repair location. The first transition means is connected to one end of the platform means and the second transition means is connected to the other end of the platform means to form the roadway repair unit. A portion of the roadway, located beneath the roadway repair unit, is then repaired and the roadway repair unit is moved along the roadway in progression with the repairing of the roadway. During the repair of the roadway, vehicle traffic passes over the roadway repair unit.

In convenitonal roadway repairs, the roadway is closed to traffic and the repairs of the roadway are conducted. The closing of the roadway impedes traffic movement along the roadway while the repairs are being conducted, particularly on modern multi-lane highways. The present invention alleviates this problem by providing a roadway repair unit which passes traffic above the roadway being repaired while repair is conducted beneath the overpass. Thus, the invention reduces the impediment to traffic flow which is caused by the closing of a roadway to perform repairs.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. Structures illustrating the concept of the present invention are shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a pictorial view of a mobile roadway repair unit embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 2a and 2c are a schematic elevational block diagram of the roadway repair unit of FIG. 1, illustrating an exemplary arrangement of modules in the unit;

FIGS. 2b and 2d are a schematic top block diagram of the roadway repair unit of FIG. 1, illustrating a typical equipment grouping for the unit;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a typical repair module frame utilized in the roadway repair unit of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a typical transition module frame utilized in the roadway repair unit of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a mobile roadway repair unit embodying the features of the present invention, indicated generally by reference numeral 10. The roadway repair unit includes a repair module 12 for supporting a typical vehicle 14 above a roadway 16 to be repaired. Thus, the repair module unit 12 functions as a platform means for supporting the vehicle at a level above the roadway 16. An ascending transition module 18 is provided at the rear end of the repair module unit 12 for directing the vehicle 14 from the roadway l6 upward to the level of the repair module unit 12. A descending transition module 20 is provided at the front end of the roadway repair unit 10 for directing the motion of the vehicle 14 from the level of the repair module unit 12 downward to the roadway 16.

The repair module unit 12 provides a housing for receiving equipment to repair a portion of the roadway 16 located beneath the roadway repair unit 10. The repair equipment housed in the repair module unit 12 can be operated from a remote control unit 22 which is positioned along the roadside. Equipment operators are positioned in the remote control unit 22 and observe the repair which is viewed by TV cameras located in the repair module unit 12. Alternately, equipment operators can be stationed inside the repair module unit 12 along with the repair equipment.

An enclosure wall 24 is provided on the longitudinal sides of the roadway repair unit 10. One function of the enclosure wall 24 is to block viewing of the repair being performed beneath the roadway repair unit 10. If the roadway repair is viewed by passing vehicles,,the traffic flow is impeded as vehicles slow to view the repair scene, and what is commonly termed a gaper block develops. The enclosure wall 24 also permits the environment beneath the roadway repair unit 10 to be controlled. The controlled environment permits proper curing of roadway repair substances, such as concrete, during adverse weather conditions and provides comfortable working conditions for workmen stationed in the repair module unit 10. The enclosure wall 24 also provides a safety barrier for workmen located beneath the roadway repair unit 10 by shielding the workmen from collisions with traffic straying from an adjacent roadway.

A left-side guardrail 26 is located adjacent the left longitudinal edge of the roadway repair unit 10 while a right-side guardrail 27 is located adjacent the right longitudinal edge of the roadway repair unit 10. The guard-rails 26 and 27 serve as a retaining means for vehicles which travel over the roadway repair unit 10, such as the vehicle 14, to prevent the vehicles from traveling over the edge of the repair module unit 12.

If desired, a portable guardrail structure which extends along the roadway from the ascending transition module 18 can be trailed from the left-side guardrail 26 and from the right-side guardrail 27. The portable guardrail structure serves as a traffic control for forming traffic into a lane for passage over the roadway repair unit 10.

During a repair operation, the roadway repair unit 10 is positioned over the roadway to be repaired and the repair operations are performed beneath the repair module unit 12. The roadway repair unit 10 is moved along the roadway in progression with the repair being performed. During the repair operation, traffic which ordinarily would travel on the roadway 16 passes over the roadway repair unit 10. For example, the vehicle 14 moves up the ascending transition module 18 and onto the repair module unit 12. The vehicle 14 continues traveling over the roadway repair site along the length of the repair module unit. The vehicle 14 then moves down the descending transition module 20 to the roadway 16. ,Thus, the ascending transition module 18 serves as an on-ramp to raise a vehicle from the roadway 16 to the repair module unit 10 which functions as a vehicle overpass. The descending transition module 20 serves as an off-ramp to lower a vehicle from the repair module unit 12 to the roadway 16.

Preferably, when the vehicle 14 is positioned on the repair module unit 12, the top of the vehicle 14 clears any obstructions arranged over the roadway to be repaired, such as bridges and overpasses. Generally, the traffic passing over the roadway repair unit is restricted to exclude trucks and other heavy vehicles. This allows the roadway repair unit 10 to be constructed strongly enough to support ordinary vehicles but eliminates the need for having a load capacity great enough to carry heavy vehicles such as a truck.

The repair module unit 12 is typically formed of a plurality of repair modules which are connected endto-end to form a repair module unit. However, the repair module unit 12 may include a single repair module.

Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2c, a typical arrangement of repair modules utilized in the roadway repair unit 10 for repairing a roadway is illustrated. The arrangement of repair modules in FIGS. 2a and 2c is only exemplary for purposes of illustrating one configuration for the invention. The number of repair modules utilized in repairing a roadway and the repair functions which the modules perform can be varied to meet the requirements of a given roadway repair job.

The repair module unit 12 is illustrated as being formed of four repair modules in FIGS. 2a and 20. A concrete removal module 30 is provided for removing damaged concrete from the roadway to be repaired. A

utility repair module 32 is provided for performing repairs of a general nature to the roadway. For example, the utility repair module 32 can be used for repairing expansion joints and for mud-jacking operations to raise depressed roadway sections. A storage module 34 is provided for receiving materials used in making concrete for repairing a roadway to be repaired. A final finish module 36 is provided for mixing the concrete and finishing the concrete to form a new roadway section. The ascending transition module 18 is connected to the trailing edge of the repair module unit 12, in this case, the final finish module 36 and the descending transition module 20 is connected to the leading edge of the repair m odule unit 12, in this case, the concrete removal module 30.

The repair modules, i.e., the concrete removal module 30, the utility repair module 32, the storage module 34, and the final finish module 36 are connected endto-endto form the repair module unit 12. The connection between the repair modules can be separated and the repair modules may be individually transported to a roadway repair location where the repair modules are assembled to form the repair module unit 12.

The repair modules utilized in the repair module unit 12 are arranged in order of their usage on the roadway. Thus, the repair modules which perform the initial repair steps are located before the repair modules performing later steps in the repair operation. As the roadway repair unit 10 moves along a roadway to be repaired, the modules move over the repair site in sequence so that the repair operations can be performed.

Referring to FIGS. 2b and 2d, an arrangement of the repair equipment housed in the roadway repair unit 10 is illustrated. The arrangement of the equipment is exemplary of the manner in which the roadway repair unit 10 is utilized. However, it is apparent that other arrangements of equipment in the roadway repair unit of the present invention can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.

A primary fault detection unit 38 is housed in the descending transition module 20 and is utilized for inspecting the roadway to determine the presence and location of faults in a roadway to be repaired. A concrete removal assembly 40 is located in the concrete removal module 30 and is utilized for removing concrete from a roadway to be repaired. The concrete debris removed from the roadway is placed on a conveyor 42 which carries the concrete debris to a material trailer 44 located in the descending transition module 20. The material trailer is removed when necessary and the concrete debris is discarded. A circular saw assembly 46 is provided for cutting the roadway into pieces for removal by the concrete removal assembly 40. The assemblies 40 and 46 are positioned with mechanisms which provide transverse and longitudinal movement of the assemblies with respect to the concrete removal module 30, as indicated by the arrows shown in the drawings. The assemblies 40 and 46 can also be rotated to position the assemblies on a roadway to be repaired.

A TV camera 48 is provided for viewing the work area in the concrete removal module 30. The TV camera 48 transmits the view of the work area to the remote control unit 22 where an equipment operator remotely controls the repair operations of the assemblies 40 and 46. Alternatively, the equipment operator can be positioned on a platform associated with the assemblies 40 and 46 to view directly the concrete removal and control the repair operation. Similarly, a TV camera 50 is provided in the utility repair module 32 and a TV camera 52 is provided in the final finish module 36 for viewing the repair area in the respective modules and transmitting the view of the repair area to the remote control unit 22 for use by equipment operators. If desired, the equipment operators can be stationed inside the utility repair module 32 and the final finish module 36. In this situation, the equipment operators view directly the repair operations and control the repair equipment from their station inside the modules.

A mud-jacking unit 54 is provided in the utility repair module 32 for raising depressed roadway sections. The mud-jacking unit 54 bores a hole in a depressed roadway section and injects a mixture of grout beneath the roadway section. The grout raises the depressed roadway to the proper level and provides a firm base for the roadway. The grout is stored in a grout storage bin 56 located in the utility repair module 32 and a grout storage bin 57 located in the concrete removal assembly 40. An expansion joint repair unit 58 is provided in the utility repair module 32 for replacing a sealing material in expansion joints located in a roadway to be repaired. The sealing material is stored in a sealing material storage bin 60. The mud-jacking unit 54 and the expansion joint repair unit 58 are mounted on mechanisms providing longitudinal, transverse, and rotational movement with respect to the utility repair module 32 for positioning the assemblies on the roadway to be repaired.

The storage module 34 is utilized for storing the materials used in making concrete to repair the roadway. The storage module 34 includes a water compartment 62, a cement compartment 64., a fine aggregate compartment 66, and a course aggregate compartment 68. The materials are loaded into the storage module 34 through a hatch 70, shown in FIG. 1, which slides open to permit access to the compartments. A material conveyor 72 transfers material from the storage module 34 to a concrete mixing unit 74. The mixing unit 74 prepares the concrete for application to the roadway to be repaired. A final finishing assembly 76 is utilized for leveling the concrete in the roadway and placing a surface finish on the concrete. The final finish assembly 76 is mounted on mechanisms providing longitudinal, transverse, and rotational movement with respect to the final finish module 36 for positioning the assembly over the roadway to be repaired.

A power generation unit 73 is located in the ascending transition module 18 and supplies power to move the roadway repair unit along the roadway to be repaired. In addition, the power generation unit 78 generates electrical power for operating the repair equipment located in the repair module unit 12. A power storage unit 80 is also located in the ascending transition module 18 and is used for storing power to be used by the roadway repair unit 10. An operator station 82 is located adjacent the power generation unit 78. The operator station 82 is used by the operator of the roadway repair unit 10 in controlling the movement of the unit 10 and the power generation unit 78.

Referring to FIG. 3, a typical repair module frame 84 utilized for forming the repair modules in the repair module unit 12 is illustrated. The repair module frame 84 includes a platform surface 86 for carrying the typical vehicle 14. The repair module frame 84 is supported at its front end by a front rolling carriage 88 and at its rear end by a rear rolling carriage 90. The front carriage 88 and the rear carriage 90 are illustrated schematically and represent a conventional form of rolling carriage for supporting the repair module frame 84. A beam 92 located between the front carriage 88 and the rear carriage 90 strengthens the platform surface 86 as does a beam 93.

The rear carriage 90 is connected to the platform surface 86 by a rear strut assembly 94. The rear strut assembly 94 includes hydraulic cylinders 96 which are utilized for varying the vertical position of the rear carriage 90. An identical rear strut assembly 94' is located on the other side of the repair module frame 84.

The front carriage 88 is connected to the platform surface 86 by a front strut assembly 98. The front strut assembly 98 includes hydraulic cylinders 100 which are utilized for varying the vertical position of the front carriage 88. An identical front strut assembly is located out of view on the other side of the repair module frame 84.

In performing a repair operation on the roadway l6, portions of the roadway 16 are cut away to be replaced. The removed roadway forms a depression which causes the rolling surface on which the repair module frame 84 moves to be irregular. Therefore, to maintain the platform surface 86 in a predetermined position, the hydraulic cylinders 100 of the front strut assembly 98 are operated to extend the front carriage 88 when it rolls into a depression in the roadway. This permits the platform surface 86 to be maintained at a predetermined height above the roadway 16. When the repair module frame 84 moves beyond the depression in the roadway,'the hydraulic cylinders 100 are operated to retract the front carriage 88 to its normal position. The

opposing front strut assembly out of view operates in coordination with the front strut assembly 98. As the rear carriage passes over the depression in the roadway, the rear carriage 90 is extended and retracted by the hydraulic cylinders 96 of the rear strut assembly 94 to maintain the platform surface 86 at a predetermined level. Again, the opposing rear strut assembly 94' operates in coordination with the rear strut assembly 94.

A left-side guardrail 26', which is a component part of the left-side guardrail 26 on the roadway repair unit 10, is provided adjacent one edge of the platform surface 86, and a right-side guardrail 27', which is a component part of the right-side guardrail 27 of the repair unit 10, is provided adjacent the opposing edge of the platform surface 86. The repair module frame 84 has a rear segmented section 102 and a front segmented section 104. The segmented sections 102 and 104 permit the repair module frame 84 to be joined in an articulating connection with another repair module frame or with one of the transition modules 18 and 20. Thus, when the roadway repair unit 10 travels along a curved roadway, the repair module frame 84 can articulate with respect to an adjacent repair module or transition module as the case may be.

Referring to FIG. 4, a typical transition module frame 106 is illustrated. The transition module frame 106 is utilized to form either an ascending transition module 18 or a descending transition module 20. The transition module frame 106 includes a transition wedge 108 coupled to a ramp surface 1 10, and a platform surface 112. A rolling carriage assembly 114 supports one end of the platform surface 112 at the level of the platform surface 86 of the repair module frame 84. A rolling assembly 116 supports the other end of the platform surface 112 and one end of the platform surface 110.

A segmented section 118 joins the ramp surface and the platform surface 112 to permit the ramp surface and the platform surface to articulate. A segmented coupling section 120 is provided at one end of the platform surface 112 for coupling with the segmented section of a repair module frame, for example, the rear segmented section 102 of the repair module frame 84.

A left-side guardrail 26", which is a component part of the left-side guardrail 26 of the repair unit 10, is provided adjacent one edge of the repair module frame 106. A right-side guardrail 27", which is a component part of the right-side guardrail 27 of the roadway repair unit 10, is provided adjacent the opposing edge of the transition module frame 106.

It is to be understood that various modifications can be made to the disclosed mobile roadway repair unit without departing from the scope of the invention, and

it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such r modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A mobile roadway repair unit for providing a vehicle overpass above a portion of a roadway to be repaired comprising:

platform means for supporting a roadway vehicle at i a level above the roadway to be repaired, said platform means being movable along said roadway to be repaired and including a plurality of repair modules, at least one of said repair modules including means for mounting equipment for repairing a portion of said roadway beneath said repair module, said mounting means being operative to position said equipment over said roadway;

first transition means for directing the roadway vehicle upward from said roadway to the level of said platform means;

second transition means for directing the roadway vehicle downward from the level of said platform means to said roadway; and

means for joining said plurality of repair modules one to another for articulating movement between the joined repair modules, whereby said repair modules can articulate to travel along a curved portion of the roadway.

2. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 wherein said first transition means is releasably connected to a trailing edge of said platform means and said second transition means is releasably connected to a leading edge of said platform means.

3. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 2 further including articulating means for joining said first transition means to said platform means, said articulating means permitting arcuate movement of said first transition means with respect to said platform means.

4. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 3 further including second articulating means for joining said second transition means to said platform means, said second articulating means permitting arcuate movement of said second transition means with respect to said platform means.

5. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 wherein said repair module includes a front rolling carriage lo cated at one end thereof and a rear rolling carriage located at the other end thereof, said front and rear carriages suspending a vehicle supporting surface of said repair module above the roadway and permitting movement of said repair module along the roadway.

6. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 5 further including means for vertically positioning said front carriage and said rear carriage to maintain said vehicle supporting surface of said repair module at a predetermined location above an irregular roadway surface.

7. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 further including an enclosure wall arranged on longitudinal sides of said first transition means, said platform means and said second transition means.

8. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 wherein said platform means includes means for retaining said roadway vehicle on a vehicle supporting surface of said platform means, said retaining means being located adjacent opposing longitudinal edges of said vehicle bearing surface.

9. A mobile roadway repair unit for providing a vehicle overpass above a portion of a roadway to be repaired comprising:

a plurality of repair module units each having a platform for supporting a vehicle above the roadway to be repaired and being suspended at a front end thereof by a front rolling carriage and at a rear end thereof by a rear rolling carriage, said repair module units being movable along the roadway to be repaired and providing a housing beneath said platform for receiving road repair equipment, said repair module units including means for mounting roadway repair equipment within said housing and positioning the roadway equipment over the roadway to be repaired;

articulating means for joining said repair module units one to another for arcuate movement be tween the joined repair module units to form a train of repair module units;

ascending transition means for directing said vehicle upward from said roadway to the platform of a trailing one of the train of repair module units, said ascending transition means being releasably coupled in an articulating connection with the rear end of said trailing one of the train of repair module units; and

descending transition means for directing said roadway vehicle downward from the platform of a leading one of said train of repair module units to said roadway, said descending transition means being releasably coupled in an articulating connection with the front end of said leading one of said train of repair module units.

10. The roadway repair units of claim 9 the repair module units further including first means for vertically positioning said front rolling carriage and second means for vertically positioning said rear rolling carriage, said first and second positioning means being operable to maintain the platform of said repair module unit at a predetermined location above an irregular roadway surface.

1 l. The roadway repair unit of claim 9 further including an enclosure wall arranged on the longitudinal sides of said ascending transition means, said repair module units and said descending transition means.

12. The roadway repair unit of claim 9 wherein said repair module units include means for retaining said vehicle on the platform of said repair module units, said retaining means being located adjacent opposing longitudinal edges of said platform.

13. A mobile roadway repair unit for reparing a roadway and transporting roadway repair equipment to the roadway to be repaired comprising;

a plurality of roadway repair modules, each of said roadway repair modules having a front rolling carriage at a front end thereof and a rear rolling carriage at a rear end thereof;

articulating means for joining said roadway repair modules one to another for arcuate movement and forming a train of roadway repair modules;

at least one of said roadway repair modules having means for mounting roadway repair equipment to repair portions of roadway beneath said at least one roadway repair module; and

means for propelling said roadway repair equipment over the roadway to be repaired, said means for propelling being coupled to a one of said roadway repair modules.

14. The roadway repair unit of claim 13 wherein said roadway repair modules include means for vertically positioning said front rolling carriage and means for vertically positioning said rear rolling carriage to maintain said roadway repair module at a predetermined location above an irregular roadway surface.

a e 4: r a 

1. A mobile roadway repair unit for providing a vehicle overpass above a portion of a roadway to be repaired comprising: platform means for supporting a roadway vehicle at a level above the roadway to be repaired, said platform means being movable along said roadway to be repaired and including a plurality of repair modules, at least one of said repair modules including means for mounting equipment for repairing a portion of said roadway beneath said repair module, said mounting means being operative to position said equipment over said roadway; first transition means for directing the roadway vehicle upward from said roadway to the level of said platform means; second transition means for directing the roadway vehicle downward from the level of said platform means to said roadway; and means for joining said plurality of repair modules one to another for articulating movement between the joined repair modules, whereby said repair modules can articulate to travel along a curved portion of the roadway.
 2. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 wherein said first transition means is releasably connected to a trailing edge of said platform means and said second transition means is releasably connected to a leading edge of said platform means.
 3. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 2 further including articulating means for joining said first transition means to said platform means, said articulating means permitting arcuate movement of said first transition means with respect to said platform means.
 4. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 3 further including second articulating means for joining said second transition means to said platform means, said second articulating means permitting arcuate movement of said second transition means with respect to said platform means.
 5. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 wherein said repair module includes a front rolling carriage located at one end thereof and a rear rolling carriage located at the other end thereof, said front and rear carriages suspending a vehicle supporting surface of said repair module above the roadway and permitting movement of said repair module along the roadway.
 6. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 5 further including means for vertically positioning said front carriage and said rear carriage to maintain said vehicle supporting surface of said repair module at a predetermined location above an irregular roadway surface.
 7. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 further including an enclosure wall arranged on longitudinal sides of said first transition means, said platform means and said second transition means.
 8. The mobile roadway repair unit of claim 1 wherein said platform means includes means for retaining said roadway vehicle on a vehicle supporting surface of said platform means, said retaining means being located adjacent opposing longitudinal edges of said vehicle bearing surface.
 9. A mobile roadway repair unit for providing a vehicle overpass above a portion of a roadway to be repaired comprising: a plurality of repair module units each having a platform for supporting a vehicle above the roadway to be repaired and being suspended at a front end thereof by a front rolling carriage and at a rear end thereof by a rear rolling carriage, said repair module units being movable along the roadway to be repaired and providing a housing beneath said platform for receiving road repair equipment, said repair module units including means for mounting roadway repair equipment within said housing and positioning the roadway equipment over the roadway to be repaired; articulating means for joining said repair module units one to another for arcuate movement between the joined repair module units to form a train of repair module units; ascending transition means for directing said vehicle upward from said roadway to the platform of a trailing one of the train of repair module units, said ascending transition means being releasably coupled in an articulating connection with the rear end of said trailing one of the train of repair module units; and descending transition means for directing said roadway vehicle downward from the platform of a leading one of said train of repair module units to said roadway, said descending transition means being releasably coupled in an articulating connection with the front end of said leading one of said train of repair module units.
 10. The roadway repair units of claim 9 the repair module units further including first means for vertically positioning said front rolling carriage and second means for vertically positioning said rear rolling carriage, said first and second positioning means being operable to maintain the platform of said repair module unit at a predetermined location above an irregular roadway surface.
 11. The roadway repair unit of claim 9 further including an enclosure wall arranged on the longitudinal sides of said ascending transition means, said repair module units and said descending transition means.
 12. The roadway repair unit of claim 9 wherein said repair module units include means for retaining said vehicle on the platform of said repair module units, said retaining means being located adjacent opposing longitudinal edges of said platform.
 13. A mobile roadway repair unit for reparing a roadway and transporting roadway repair equipment to the roadway to be repaired comprising: a plurality of roadway repair modules, each of said roadway repair modules having a front rolling carriage at a front end thereof and a rear rolling carriage at a rear end thereof; articulating means for joining said roadway repair modules one to another for arcuate movement and forming a train of roadway repair modules; at least one of said roadway repair modules having means for mounting roadway repair equipment to repair portions of roadway beneath said at least one roadway repair module; and means for propelling said roadway repair equipment over the roadway to be repaired, said means for propElling being coupled to a one of said roadway repair modules.
 14. The roadway repair unit of claim 13 wherein said roadway repair modules include means for vertically positioning said front rolling carriage and means for vertically positioning said rear rolling carriage to maintain said roadway repair module at a predetermined location above an irregular roadway surface. 